The 2006 Philadelphia Phillies season was a year of exciting growth and individual excellence, highlighted by first baseman Ryan Howard winning the National League MVP award after a record-breaking 58 home run campaign. Under manager Charlie Manuel, the team finished with a strong 85-77 record and remained in a thrilling hunt for the postseason until the very end of the year. Fans at Citizens Bank Park enjoyed a powerful offense that featured Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins, building a competitive foundation that signaled the franchise was on the verge of its upcoming golden era. A 2008 World Series and NLCS MVP, Cole Hamels was a four-time All-Star left-handed pitcher who anchored the Philadelphia Phillies' rotation for a decade and recorded over 2,500 career strikeouts.